Donna Bassett and her husband lead the Santa Rosa Church of the Nazarene. Donna will be preaching from Luke chapter 15. It’s a passage where Jesus after being criticized for is association with people living on the margins tells three parables about God’s love for “the least of these.”
Jonah, the Shade Tree & the Worm-A Story About Forgiveness
Lesson Snapshot
BOTTOM LINE:
Forgive, because God forgave you first!
OBJECTIVE:
Kids will learn that we can love and forgive others, because God loves and forgives us.
KEY PASSAGE:
Jonah 4, Jonah’s Anger Over Nineveh and the Shade Tree
MEMORY VERSE:
“Lord, you are great. You are really worthy of praise. No one can completely understand how great you are.” Psalm 145:3 (NIrV)
SUMMARY:
God spared the city of Nineveh after they repented of their sins. This made Jonah angry. Even though God had just forgiven Jonah for his sin of running away from God, Jonah did not want God to forgive the people of Nineveh! God used a shade tree and a very hungry worm to show Jonah that he had no right not to forgive others.
Object Lesson
ITEMS NEEDED:
A tackle box full of fish hooks
How many of you have been fishing? Have any of you ever learned to hook a worm? I’m not going to ask anyone to do that this morning, but what was it like the first time you put a worm on a hook?
Worms aren’t the cutest creatures God ever made, but like us, worms need food to survive. God used a hungry worm to teach Jonah an important lesson about forgiveness. Just as God had forgiven Jonah for running away from Him, Jonah had to forgive the worm – and the Ninevites.
Has someone done something ugly to you? Is there someone whose ugliness you haven’t forgiven? I know it’s not easy, but I hope you will pray for God to help you forgive that person. Show them that God loves them by loving them. Forgive as you have been forgiven.
Test Your Knowledge
Craft Activity
Have the kids cut out apple shapes from red construction paper. Punch two holes in their apples, and thread a gummy worm through the holes of the apple.
Sing Along-Veggie Tales
1 Peter 5-A Pastors Heart
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the heart and mind of your pastor? What consumes their thoughts and what keeps them up at night? This morning Peter and I are going to give you some insight into those thoughts, as Peter concludes his letter.
Sofa Sunday School-The Story of Jonah
God is all about second chances
Lesson Snapshot
BOTTOM LINE:
Our God is a God of second chances.
OBJECTIVE:
Kids will learn that no matter how many times we’ve disobeyed God, God will give us a chance to turn things around.
KEY PASSAGE:
Jonah 1-2:1, and 2:10, Jonah Runs from God
MEMORY VERSE:
“Lord, you are great. You are really worthy of praise. No one can completely understand how great you are.” Psalm 145:3 (NIrV)
SUMMARY:
God asked Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people to repent of their evil ways and turn to God. Jonah didn’t want to so he hopped on a boat going the opposite direction from Nineveh. God used a big storm and a stinky fish’s belly to give Jonah a second chance to make a right choice.
Discussion Questions
-Why do you suppose Jonah didn’t want to go?
– How did God give Jonah a second chance?
– Why is it good that God gives second chances?
– Will God always give us another chance when we ask?
Activity
Let each of the kids take home a small sample of the Beanboozled or Regular Jelly Bellys to share with their family, along with today’s lesson. If someone eats a gross jelly bean, give them a second chance!
Sing & Dance
1 Peter 4-Because We’re Different
This week Peter reaches the climax of his letter speaking to a group of believers who know that they have come to the intersection of their destiny and he assures them that their suffering is not meaningless, that it producing an incalculable weight of glory. Special music “Thou You Slay Me” by Shane and Shane
Sofa Sunday School-God’s Way Is Always Best-Genesis 19:9-26, Sodom and Gomorrah
Lesson Snapshot
BOTTOM LINE:
God’s way is always best!
OBJECTIVE:
Kids will learn that choosing our own way over God’s way, means we’re not choosing God’s best for our life.
KEY PASSAGE:
Genesis 19:9-26, Sodom and Gomorrah
MEMORY VERSE:
“Lord, you are great. You are really worthy of praise. No one can completely understand how great you are.” Psalm 145:3 (NIrV)
SUMMARY:
God saved Lot and his family when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. But Lot’s wife did not obey God’s instructions; she looked back at the city while it was being destroyed and was turned into a pillar of salt.
Object Lesson
ITEMS NEEDED:
A plate of fries
A large can of salt
Who likes French fries?
Add some salt to the fries.
Who likes their French fries with a little salt?
Dump a pile of salt on the fries.
Who would eat fries with this much salt?
Salty foods are delicious, whether it’s fries or chips or even salted caramel. But too much salt can be just plain gross. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, and it can also leave you feeling very thirsty.
Lot and his family discovered that doing things their way instead of God’s way can be just as bitter. They were told not to look back when they fled Sodom and Gomorrah,
but when Lot’s wife looked back, she was turned into a pillar of salt. God wants us to
do things His way. We should turn our backs on sin to follow Him and never look back. God will never leave us bitter. He has a better plan if we’re willing to follow His direction.
When we choose to go our own way, we are not choosing what’s best for us. God’s plans are good and will never leave you feeling salty. Wherever God leads you, go, and don’t look back!
Test Your Knowledge
Craft Activity
Let the kids create salt dough.
2 Cups of Flour 1 Cup of Salt 1Cup of Water
Combine the salt and flour. Then slowly add in the water until it forms a doughy consistency.
Let’s Dance
1 Peter 3 Because We’re Different part 2
This week Peter will address how Christian households should also differ from their Roman counterparts, showing us how these cultural contrasts are God honoring.
Sofa Sunday School-Jesus Obeyed His Parents-Luke 2:41-52
Lesson Snapshot
BOTTOM LINE:
Show your Mom you love her.
OBJECTIVE:
Kids will think of ways to show their Mom they love her, other than with cards and gifts.
KEY PASSAGE:
Luke 2:41-52, The Boy Jesus at the Temple
MEMORY VERSE:
“Children, obey your parents as believers in the Lord. Obey them because it’s the right thing to do.” Ephesians 6:1 (NIrV)
SUMMARY:
As a child, Jesus obeyed his parents, and grew in wisdom and stature. The Bible says that his mother Mary treasured all of these moments in her heart. When Mary and Joseph could not ind Jesus, their love and concern was evident. We can show our mom that we love her, by obeying her and treating her and others with respect.
Object Lesson
ITEMS NEEDED:
Brussel Sprouts A thermometer A remote control
What do these three objects all have in common? Believe it or not, all three of these things are used by our mothers to show us how much she loves us.
How many of you like Brussel Sprouts? How many of your moms know you don’t like Brussel Sprouts but continue to serve them to you anyway? Moms know that nutrition is more important than taste buds. They know you need a variety of vegetables. Brussel Sprouts and broccoli and lettuce and squash and zucchini are all good for you, even if they aren’t good tasting. Mom says she loves us by serving us vegetables.
Mom can use the thermometer to show us her love as well. It can be
nerve-wracking, waiting on the thermometer, because that thermometer can mean the difference between going to school, having a day off or even – yipe! – going to the doctor. Mom wants us to be well, and she shows her love by the way she cares for us when we are sick.
Mom also uses the remote control to show her love, but not always in a way we like. She may turn on your favorite show. Or she may turn off a show that’s too grown up for you. Mom wants to protect our minds as well as our bodies, and Moms use that remote control to steer us away from bad stuff.
Moms love us in more ways than we can ever calculate. They are a gift from God. Let’s make sure our Moms know we love them this Mother’s Day, and thank them for loving us – even when they serve us veggies.
Memory Verse
Craft
Have the kids create three “coupons” for their Mom. One can be for a free hug or cuddle time, but the other two should be for chores that the kids will do without griping when cashed in.
Game